September 11: Saint Paphnutius the Great

History

Paphnutius was from Egypt. After he learned about Jesus, he spent several years in the desert where he got spiritual direction from Saint Antony. Paphnutius eventually became a bishop. He was attacked for being a Christian, but he returned to his people as soon as he could and considered all his scars and losses to be a chance to glorify Jesus. He was invited to the first general council of the Church at Nicaea, where he spoke with great wisdom and mercy.

Activity

One of the things that came from the Council of Nicaea was the Nicene Creed. This simple statement of faith is a good reflection on the type of Christianity that Paphnutius taught and practiced. Today, pray the Nicene Creed as a family. 

Saint Paphnutius the Great, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

365 Rosaries

Catholic Online

September 10: Saint Peter Martinez

History

Saint Peter Martinez was born in Spain. As a young man, he became a Benedictine priest, eventually leading the whole abbey. At that time, there was a region of Spain where Christians were being forced out by people who had different ideas about God. Peter led the effort to reclaim that territory for Christianity. He was also one of the composers of the Salve Regina, a hymn and prayer that is still used today.  

Activity

Many Catholics pray the Salve Regina regularly. In English, we call this prayer, “Hail,Holy Queen.” It is cry to the Lord’s mother, begging her to pray for us while we struggle against sin. It has also been turned into Gregorian Chant, which you can listen to it here, and composed as a hymn, which you can hear here.  

Saint Peter Martinez, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Online

Saints SQPN

September 9: St. Peter Claver

History

When Peter Claver was a young priest, his mentor, Saint Alphonsus Rodgriguez, inspired him to go to the America (then called the New World) to preach the Gospel to “millions of perishing souls.” When Peter arrived in what we now call Columbia in 1610, he was horrified at the sight of the slave trade. He dedicated himself to serving the captives from Africa. He would meet the boats with medicine, water and food and hurry down to tend to the sick and dying. He taught the Africans about Jesus and administered Sacraments as they became Christians. He also traveled to the plantations where the slaves were forced to labor and begged their masters to treat them well.

Activity

Human trafficking is still a big problem in the world today, and just like Saint Peter Claver 400 years ago, there are priests and religious brothers and sisters, plus lay Catholics, who are working very hard to rescue the victims of modern-day slavery. Today, make a donation to Catholic Charities USA in honor of Saint Peter Claver, earmarked “for human trafficking victims.” You can mail your donation to Catholic Charities USA, P.O. Box 17066, Baltimore, MD, 21297-1066 or make a donation online. 

Saint Peter Claver, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

American Catholic

Catholic Online

September 8: Saint Eusubius & brothers

"Three Martyr Saints" by Jacopa Bassano

History

Saint Eusubius and his two brothers, Nestabus and Zeno, were faithful Christians in a long time ago in Gaza, Israel, when Christians were hated and sometimes attacked. Some pagans accused the three brothers of destroying a pagan temple, so they were arrested. But before they could get a fair trial, a mob dragged them out of prison and beat them until they died.

Activity

If you are ever attacked for believing in Christ, you’ll find out that it’s a lot easier to stand strong for Jesus if your brothers and sisters are standing with you. Today, make a Three Brothers Cake in memory of Saints Eusubius, Nestabus and Zeno. It’s called “Three Brothers” because it’s flavored with almonds, apricot jam, and candied fruit (like cherries, pineapple or lemon).

Saint Eusubius, Saint Nestabus and Saint Zeno, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Early Church Fathers (Excerpt)

Catholic Online

Special note:

Today is also traditionally celebrated as the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast is usually not celebrated in the United States, but if your family has a particular devotion to our Lord's mother, feel free to make your family's favorite cake instead of the Three Brothers Cake, add candles and sing "Happy Birthday" to our Lady. Or combine the two celebrations - there's no wrong way to celebrate the saints. 

September 8-14 Supply List

Here is the supply list for the suggested activities for next week, September 8-14. Feel free to improvise or to adjust activities to fit your family's preferences, skills and time allotment.

Sunday: Unsalted butter (1 stick), 4 eggs, caster (superfine or baking) sugar, almond extract, apricot or peach jam, 1/2 cup slivered almonds, candied cherries or pineapple or lemon or citron, five-cup ring baking pan (a Bundt pan or angel food cake pan will work in a pinch). 

Monday: Donation for Catholic Charities USA (any amount).

Tuesday: Lyrics to (and/or recording or video of) Salve Regina. 

Wednesday: Copy/copies of the Nicene Creed

Thursday: (Optional: ingredients for Irish Stew)

Friday: Bible

Saturday: Favorite shelf-stable foods to donate to a local food bank

September 7: Saint Cloud

St. Cloud statue from St. Cloud Hospital
in St. Cloud, Minnesota

REMINDER

Pope Francis has asked Catholics around the world to spend today fasting and praying for peace in the Syria. Please don't forget!

History

Clodoald, or Cloud, was in line to become King of France, but he had a mean uncle who was killing everybody who stood in his way. Cloud’s two older brothers were killed, but he got away. He wasn’t interested in becoming king anyway. He wanted to be a priest, and he worked hard at teaching people to love Jesus and to live lives of purity and devotion.

Activity

Did you know you can turn a bar of Ivory soap into a cloud? Follow these instructions, and then take your Saint Cloud’s Day Clouds into the bath. As you make the outside of your body pure, think about making the inside of your heart pure, too. 

Saint Cloud, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

Catholic Saints Info

365 Rosaries

Catholic Online

September 6: Saint Eleutherius the Abbot

Saint Eleutherius the Abbot (Image from SQPN)

History

Saint Eleutherius was a simple man of great faith who was the head of a monastery. He helped a child who was possessed by the devil. But then Eleutherius became full of pride and said that the child would be safe in the monastery school because of all the good men who lived there. The devil attacked the child again, and Eleutherius realized his mistake. He fasted and prayed with all the other monks until the child was free again. After that, when Eleutherius prayed for a miracle, it usually happened.  In fact, he once prayed that Saint Gregory the Great – whom we learned about on Tuesday – would get healthy enough to fast for Lent, and God made it happen.

Activity

When God answers our prayers for a miracle – like He did for Saint Eleutherius – it’s a sweet experience! Here’s a pretend “miracle” with a sweet ending to help you remember to strive to say and pray for the right things. “Miracle” Peach Cobbler is not really a miracle because it’s kitchen chemistry that makes the crust appear, but it’s a fun way to remember the miracles that Saint Eleutherius prayed for.

Saint Eleutherius the Abbot, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

SQPN

Catholic Online

REMINDER

Pope Francis has asked Catholics around the world to spend tomorrow fasting and praying for peace in the Syria. Please don't forget!